Benchmarking, Usable Knowledge and Tourist Attractions

The article considers the special needs of the attractions sector for comparative and comprehensive information on parallel operations. It defines and articulates four kinds of benchmarking and explores the potential of this empirical approach to knowledge acquisition. Some comparisons and a synthesis of benchmarking studies from the hotel sector, from tour operators and from the national park management world are included in the conceptual appraisal of the benchmarking approach. The study seeks to apply and illustrate the benchmarking approach to tourist attractions. A large scale survey study of Australian tourist attractions considers the value of 15 indicators and illustrates how they provide contrasts among different kinds of attractions. The research presented also provides examples of easy access graphical information as an illustration of research findings and acts as an exemplar of the knowledge communication process. Important distinctions are drawn between knowledge generated by analysts and knowledge fitting the needs of managers. (C) 2006 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.